Chapter 56 : Long-Standing Hatred (1)

The place Isabelle took Glenn to immediately was Contrat’s office.

“I originally planned to welcome you in the audience chamber, but I spoke with my father and changed it… Hmm — judging by your expression, Your Highness, I think I made the right call.”

As soon as the mention of the audience chamber came up, Glenn furrowed his brows.

He corrected his frozen expression at Isabelle’s remark.

“Hrm, the ceremony is honestly too bothersome.”

He had come as the official representative of Lepent.

Moreover, he had made significant contributions during the recent civil war.

Therefore, such visits naturally required complex, formal ceremonies.

Just thinking about it annoyed him and felt tedious, but thanks to Isabelle, he was able to avoid them.

“I thought so too.”

“I appreciate your consideration.”

Isabelle smiled softly, and Glenn willingly expressed his gratitude.

“But… does an office really come with an antechamber too?”

The small wonder slipped out regarding the scale of the room he was currently in.

Usually, antechambers are attached to audience chambers.

However, in many royal palaces, there often wasn’t a separate audience chamber.

The office could replace all similar functions.

Lepent was a typical example.

Of course, it was also true that Lepent was poorer compared to other countries.

“Have you forgotten where this is?”

Indeed.

Niran — the trading city through which almost all goods from the north pass.

And this was the royal palace of Niran.

The place where the ‘he,’ Contrat, from his previous life, resided.

It was likely comparable to the wealth of the highest elite in the empire.

In that regard, this was hardly an exaggeration.

The marble floor covering the hallway, elegant sculptures, furniture and curtains that stood out with their intricate patterns, and the finest carpets wrapping the feet—

All of these naturally belonged here.

“Princess, Your Highness. Please enter now.”

With a gentle beckon from the maid, the two rose from their seats.

***

The office they entered was about the size of a fairly large audience chamber.

Fortunately for Glenn, only Contrat, his guards, and the maid were inside.

“Oh, welcome. Our blood ally!”

“…Thank you for the invitation.”

Could he stop saying ‘blood ally’ just once?

Muttering inwardly, he nevertheless bowed obediently.

Contrat skillfully guided them to the center sofa.

Of course, the sofa was top-tier.

From memories of his previous life, just the furniture in this room alone could have rearmed the entire Lion Knights.

Contrat took the seat at the head, and finally, Isabelle naturally took the seat beside Glenn.

“You were a huge help this time. I almost hear about the Lion Knights’ activities every day, haha.”

“That’s thanks to the princess.”

“No, I really didn’t do much.”

Such obvious conversation continued for a while.

Formalities, congratulations, compliments, admiration, humility.

The usual fare.

“Haha, thanks to your help, I have a very ‘positive’ view of this alliance.”

Positive.

That word made Glenn’s eyes twitch unconsciously.

Could it be that the alliance with Lepent was still in the review stage?

Not yet finalized?

Hiding his discomfort, he smiled quietly.

“…That’s fortunate.”

“But, there is one thing we need to be clear about.”

So that was the main point.

There had been a reason for all those unnecessarily pleasant words earlier.

That sly fox.

“Please, go ahead.”

“I really liked the phrase you used at first: ‘symbiosis.’”

“What Lepent and Arian desire from each other is closer to symbiosis than an alliance.”

Glenn had indeed said something like that.

But why was that fox bringing up that exact phrase now?

“…That’s right. A relationship formed out of mutual need — ‘symbiosis.’”

“Exactly. That’s the point. If this alliance ever proves harmful to Arian, I will break it at any time. This must be clear.”

During the civil war, Contrat had not discussed such things.

But now the civil war was over.

No matter how much Glenn had helped in practice, the situation had reversed.

At their first meeting, Contrat had been close to saying,

“I know what you think. Let’s quickly form an alliance and support each other.”

“That means —”

“But conversely, if it doesn’t harm either side, there’s no reason to break it. Right? I hope this mutually beneficial relationship continues.”

But now?

“The alliance is clearly something you want, not something we need.”

The stance was reversed.

When your position changes, your thoughts change as well?

Damn that bastard.

Glenn glanced away sadly, but Isabelle avoided eye contact.

She sighed deeply and nodded.

“…You are absolutely right.”

He couldn’t turn things upside down now just because the situation displeased him.

The ‘Evil Plot’ was a basic prerequisite for what would happen next.

Contrat smiled broadly.

“I’m glad you understand. It’s comfortable, haha.”

“Then, shall we finalize the alliance —”

“Ah, there’s still plenty of time. Why is the young friend in such a hurry?”

What else was left?

Glenn furrowed his brows, unable to hold back this time.

“Don’t glare at me like that. I just have a little ‘concern.’”

This time, Isabelle responded.

“Father? You never mentioned this.”

“We men talk among ourselves. Women don’t interfere. You stay quiet.”

Isabelle frowned, but Contrat kept his gaze fixed on Glenn.

“…Hopefully, it’s a concern I can help resolve.”

“Haha, leave it to me.”

Contrat naturally raised an expensive teacup.

Isabelle looked apologetic without realizing it.

Tsk.

Glenn clicked his tongue quietly.

“When I was young, I suffered badly from smallpox. I survived, but it was no easy ordeal.”

This wasn’t just a simple childhood story.

Glenn sensed it.

“But later, I found that the dirtier the surroundings, the easier it was to catch smallpox. In other words, the house must be kept clean.”

His eyes sparkled quietly, still controlled.

“But I was so busy that I couldn’t clean often. I kept putting it off — but recently, I made up my mind and started a big cleaning. Understand?”

House cleaning.

He was talking about the recent executions of Arian nobles during the civil war.

Glenn slowly nodded.

“But if you’re going to do it, why not do it properly? That’s my personality. I can’t stand doing things halfway. So, the cleaning isn’t finished yet. There’s still some dust left.”

Contrat’s eyes flickered red.

The cleansing wasn’t over.

That was what he really wanted to say.

Even though he had severed the necks of seventeen nobles.

It felt strange—there was an oddly strong scent of blood.

“Could it be that you’re asking for help with the remaining cleaning?”

“No, it’s not that. This is something the master must do personally. What I worry about is that when the house is being cleaned, it’s hard to know what’s happening outside. Isn’t that right?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Whether servants come or uninvited peddlers, troublemakers, show up.”

At that moment,

Contrat’s intense gaze met Glenn’s.

“Or whether a swarm of locusts is creeping to swallow our house — it’s hard to know. What do you think?”

A swarm of locusts… What did he mean by that?

Glenn smiled faintly, and Isabelle shouted suddenly.

“Father!”

“Quiet, last warning.”

But Contrat was resolute despite his daughter’s outburst.

Was Lepent planning to use the alliance as a pretext to sneak into Arian’s weakened interior?

That was likely what he was implying.

“Are you concerned about Lepent’s military activity?”

“Hmm, you could interpret it that way. So, what’s your answer?”

That shameless old man.

Glenn chuckled and responded.

“The two countries have a ‘symbiotic’ relationship. But Lepent stabbing a knife into Arian’s back during their civil war? Is there a more foolish act? It’s effectively strangling one’s own neck.”

Contrat nodded firmly at the somewhat unsatisfactory answer.

“Even if you don’t know, what about your father? The current Duke Lepent and his predecessor… both have strong feelings against Arian.”

“My father is a wise man.”

Glenn’s eyes darkened slightly.

Contrat waved his hand.

“Ah, I know that much. I only met him once. He was never an incompetent ruler. But you see—”

Contrat trailed off, tapping his own chest with a finger.

“You may be too young to understand, but sometimes it’s not reason but emotion that moves people. That’s why even smart people sometimes make foolish choices.”

Glenn quietly shook his head.

He was thoroughly convinced.

It wasn’t him who didn’t understand—it was this man.

Unconsciously, a faint smile formed on his lips.

“You seem to be quite mistaken. My father’s grudge against the empire runs very deep. Compared to that, his feelings toward Arian are minor.”

Acting favorably toward the empire to take revenge on Arian?

Nonsense.

“Minor?”

“If the grudge toward Arian is buried, the one toward the empire is vast. Very minor.”

“A bigger grudge — hmm, fair point. The empire’s history of tormenting Lepent is long.”

“Exactly. That’s why…”

“But tell me, what about you?”

Cutting off Glenn’s words, Contrat smirked.

As if trying to read his thoughts.

“Eh?”

“How much grudge do you hold against the empire?”

“That is…”

“I know you personally supported this expedition. But why? You’re barely twenty and have some great grudge against the empire?”

Glenn’s eyes twitched.

It was the discomfort from the question.

“Surely you don’t think your actions are based on some history book excerpts or old tales? I find that hard to believe.”

…Indeed, it was unpleasant.

What was this old man talking about now?

Glenn’s gaze grew fierce again.

Unlike before, this time he had no intention of holding back.

“May I hear your reasons?”

Whether he wanted it or not, the question continued.

How deep was his grudge against the empire?

…Daring to ask me that now?

Suddenly, memories from his past life flashed through his mind.

***

The orc invasion had begun.

The empire, which usually acted as the master of the duchy, withdrew all northern troops.

At least they would defend the border.

He had received a letter from the emperor just a week before stating this.

But the empire didn’t even keep that.

No, they used it.

They chose to safely withdraw their corps while the duchy was being crushed.

“Protect your family, Glenn.”

Leaving those words, his father took up his sword.

To protect himself and his family, who had been reckless.

After a few battles, all contact was lost.

“Mother, you must leave!”

“…I will only be a burden.”

“What nonsense! Think of your father!”

“…Alright.”

That night, his mother hanged herself.

Having lost his father and already deeply wounded, she judged that she would only hinder her sons’ escape.

Glenn personally buried her body.

The half-frozen ground required a mattock rather than a shovel.

In the end, with no time to dig deeply, he cremated her remains.

He could not allow her to become food for the orcs.

Tears of blood poured from his eyes.

“Brother, you go first!”

During their escape, his younger brother willingly took on the role of bait.

Naturally, he never returned.

Glenn barely crossed into the empire.

Lepent was crushed, and Arian along with the second prince were all swept away.

Only then did the empire act.

They judged the second prince would never rise again.

There must have been internal problems within the corps.

The empire must have had its own reasons for abandoning Lepent.

He had once thought so.

But it wasn’t that.

“…From the beginning, the duchy was never their concern.”

If they defended against orcs themselves, the second prince, who was in civil war, might rise to power.

The empire had no intention of risking that danger.

Therefore, they abandoned the northern region and Lepent, deciding to retreat.

To the empire — himself, his family, and the duchy had no value.

They were just a sacrifice to divert attention from the second prince… just that.

When he realized this truth, Glenn felt his heart freeze.

“Damn, lord…”

In reality, when the empire’s core territory was threatened, they even mobilized the capital’s defense troops.

And — though they suffered devastating losses — they ultimately repelled the desperate orcs.

Yes, they were capable of stopping the orcs.

They simply chose not to.

“Hahaha.”

A hollow laugh escaped.

If that was the case, why hadn’t they helped Lepent earlier?

What had their own family’s deaths meant to them?

Had the empire truly not cared one bit about their vassal state guarding their borders?

These thoughts turned into a storm of strong emotions.

Hatred, anger, disgust, self-blame, sorrow, resentment.

Amidst all these negative feelings, he resolved one thing.

“…Damn bastards.”

I will burn the empire to the ground with my own hands.

I will definitely capture the emperor alive.

Thus was born Riclang, who would come to be known as the ‘Empire’s Harbinger of Evil.’

***

Glenn looked at Contrat, the soothsayer, and recalled the empire from his previous life.

And finally, the life he had suppressed surged up.

No, it exploded.